Boat Lift Conversion

[jcornell26]

Hey Everyone,
New to the forums, also a new boat owner. We bought a new house a few months back. Currently, there is a ShoreMaster Lift already there. The previous owner has it setup for pontoon bunks. I would like to set it up for my Deckboat. I called my local ShoreMaster dealer and they want $700 for new bunks and $150 for installation. That seems a little steep as I know I can do this myself. I figured I can get some new brackets designed for V-hull bunks and bolt them on myself. The problem is, I haven't had any luck finding any on the net. Do any of you know where I can purchase some? I should be able to mount my current bunks to these right?

Also, any advise or suggestions is welcome on how I can tackle this. I attached some pics of the lift and the shape of my hull for reference.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

my suggestion is to advertize a used pontoon lift and buy a used v-hull lift. search craigslist, many times you can find someone selling and someone looking.

lifts are pricey as a whole, and pricier as parts. you could also make up your own brackets if your handy.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

I don't know where you live but a trailer supply store might have the hardware.
Or a used boat trailer would.
You don't need much, it's not like you're towing it around. It just sits there.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Here's a start:

http://www.boatliftanddock.com/c-68-boat-lift-parts.aspx

Find the parts you need then see if there is a Shoremaster dealer near you. You could easily do it yourself, there's nothing to it.

Use the dealer locator, it looks as though there is one within 10 miles of you.

Edit: sorry, just re-read your post & you've already talked to your dealer. If you can get some bunk brackets to throw on there, you should be good to go. Easy job.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

How about bolting on a pair of 4'x6'x? (marine) treated bunks covered with a nice outdoor carpet. Like Marc c says, it's just gonna sit there

 

[Tregs]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

I just bought a new boat and had to re-fit my lift to accomodate the new hull shape, so I know what you're going through. Here are a couple of options for you
1) Replace the beams with straps. I hung my boat on straps for years, as do most people on our lake, with no problem. I eventually moved away from the strap method because it makes it very difficult toput the cover on since the straps fit tightly against the rubrails. You have to put the cover on while the boat is floating, then lift it.
2) Transfer the dimensionsions from your trailer to the lift. A 2 bunk lift is easy, but 4 (like your trailer has) is much more difficult since the dimensions must be exact. Schedule an appointment with a local welder. Put your boat in the water for the day, unbolt the beams and bunks, put them on your boat trailer, take them to the welder and have him recreate the dimensions of the trailer beams and bunks on the lift beams/bunks. He will have the steel/aluminum needed to raise the bunks. They look low enough now that the hull may scrape the beam before it meets the bunks. This is what I did with mine and it worked fine, but I welded it myself.

One more thing to look out for. I see that you have either and pitot tube or a transducer on your stern. Be careful the first time you lift your boat on bunks that they are positioned so that they clear tha hardware on the back of the boat. Don't ask me how I know. :facepalm:

 

[Tregs]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Oh yeah.....and welcome to the forum. I'm new around here too, but have learned a lot.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Hey Everyone,
New to the forums, also a new boat owner. View attachment 140421View attachment 140422View attachment 140423We bought a new house a few months back. Currently, there is a ShoreMaster Lift already there. The previous owner has it setup for pontoon bunks. I would like to set it up for my Deckboat. I called my local ShoreMaster dealer and they want $700 for new bunks and $150 for installation. That seems a little steep as I know I can do this myself. I figured I can get some new brackets designed for V-hull bunks and bolt them on myself. The problem is, I haven't had any luck finding any on the net. Do any of you know where I can purchase some? I should be able to mount my current bunks to these right?

Also, any advise or suggestions is welcome on how I can tackle this. I attached some pics of the lift and the shape of my hull for reference.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... How Handy are ya,..?? Got any Tools,..??

Pull the wood off those brackets, 'n the brackets off the lift,...

With a Big ole Sledgehammer, rebend, 1/2 of those brackets to a better fittin' angle,...
Then bolt those brackets back onto the lift, Closer to center,....
Fine tune, 'n adjust the bracket's angles with yer sledgehammer, 'n bolt the wood back on...

Park the boat, 'n have a beverage....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Fine tune, 'n adjust the bracket's angles with yer sledgehammer,...

Park the boat, 'n have a beverage....

Love it........ Thanks Bond-o

 

[Beefer]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

I second what bond-o said. Looks like you should be able to use what's there with a little creative engineering. Word to the wise - butter up the bolts really well. When you've put enough grease on the bolts all over them, put some more on. Doing this will let you move/adjust them if you get a different boat. Is that fresh or saltwater? If it's fresh, you may not need as much grease (not sure, I'm in salt).

It looks like your cables are always submerged. Make it a point to check the cables completely at the beginning and end of each season (that means twice a year here in Florida). If they have any fraying or corrosion, replace them, or you'll be replacing the boat.

 

[jcornell26]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Haha @ Bondo. Like your style!
Yeah I agree, I think I can engineer something to work. My only concern is that the current brackets may not put the hull high enough to clear the cross beam. Know what I mean? If its a little tight I thought I could take a "swim noodle" and slice it down the center and zip tie it to the cross bar to give it some padding in case the bottom tip of the hull is that close.

Is there a standard width for the bracket spacing?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

measure your trailer, and duplicate the bunk layout

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Haha @ Bondo. Like your style!
Yeah I agree, I think I can engineer something to work. My only concern is that the current brackets may not put the hull high enough to clear the cross beam. Know what I mean? If its a little tight I thought I could take a "swim noodle" and slice it down the center and zip tie it to the cross bar to give it some padding in case the bottom tip of the hull is that close.

Is there a standard width for the bracket spacing?

Ayuh,.... Did you miss the part 'bout Adjustin' 'em with the BFHammer to get 'em, where ya Need 'em..??...

When properly adjusted, 'n moved closer to center, I really doubt the cross bars will be an issue...

 

[Beefer]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

If moving the bunks closer doesn't give you the clearance needed while still staying stable, use thicker bunk boards to raise the boat.

 

[belleview3]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

If you're worried about the cross beam height, lay a straight edge across the bunks on your trailer and measure down to the beam. After you reposition the bunks on the lift to match the trailer, repeat the straight edge measurement to verify clearance. Don't deprive a kid of his noodle. Besides your neighbors may start worrying about your next project like velcro'ing carpet to the side of your boat instead of fenders (trashy, trashy, trashy).
Good luck.

 

[jcornell26]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Don't deprive a kid of his noodle. Besides your neighbors may start worrying about your next project like velcro'ing carpet to the side of your boat instead of fenders (trashy, trashy, trashy).
Good luck.

HaHa....What if I pick a color that matches my lift cover?

Thanks again for all the tips and advise. I am going to tackle this project this weekend. We'll see how it turns out.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Google "Boat Dock Parts" or "Boat Lift Parts" and you'll find a bunch of companies making galvanized parts for lifts and bunks. ********.com is another source.

What you're talking about doing may require some drilling, but it's a very, very easy thing to do. And like it's been said, you have the trailer to get dimensions and measurements from.

 

[Tregs]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

Academy has the adjustable galvanized brackets and the 90degree brackets for attaching the bunks to the beams at whatever height you need. $5.99 and $1.49 each.

 

[jcornell26]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

The local dealer finally got back to me today. They can provide an 18" Swivel Bunk Kit. For all 4 parts it's going to run me $285. Not bad at all. I actually called the HQ in MN to get some answers since this guy wasn't returning my calls. Jerry with ShoreMaster couldn't have been more helpful, even provided me with the part number. When I talked to the local guy done here in Orlando, he said he reviewed my pics I sent over and they'd still have to replace the entire lift for the original $700 he quoted me. I said, "Really cause I talked to the MN HQ and they said I could install 4 cradles with Part #xxxxxxx." He immediately back peddled and said, "Oh, yeah I guess we can do that too."

I know for a fact he was trying to take advantage of me and sucking every penny out of me. Goes to show, you got make sure you have all your facts straight before making purchases cause the sharks are always in the water.

Thanks again for everyone's help and suggestions. And I look forward to getting to know some of you around here, as I know I will be frequenting these forums now that I am a new boat owner.

 

[jcornell26]

Re: Boat Lift Conversion

I ended up ordering these cradles:


It doesn't come with the bunks, and they told me I need (2)2x6's to do this along with some carpet. That is fine, but do you think I can simply use the bunks I already have for the pontoon conversion? It only has 2x4's and they said I have to use 2x6's for stability reasons. Is this true, or are they blowing more smoke up my *****?